CANTERBURY.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1308, 20 May 1915, Page 11

CANTERBURY.

Slogan’s Excellent Gallop—Killaloo and Margarita to be Taken to Sydney Next Month —Track Work at Riccarton — Candidates for the Wanganui Meeting—Master Paul and Conn the Shaughran—Horoscope to be Given Lengthy Spell— Tim Doolan’s Victoria G.N. Steeplechase Engagement.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

CHRISTCHURCH, Monday. A large number of Riccarton-trained horses are being kept going in view of the Oamaru and Dunedin meetings. First Glance has been turned out, and will not race again till next spring; Oh Saturday morning Snapdragon and Countess Tolstoi, both of whom have engagements at Oamaru, were companions in a run over seven furlongs. The former was going -the easier, the distance being covered in Imin. 32 2-<ssec. The Boniform colt Bonation has not fulfilled the promise he showed in the early spring, and his run over half a mile occupied 52secs. on Saturday. At Riccarton on Saturday morning Slogan was responsible for one of the best gallops that has been put up for some time. His work was accomplished on the plough, over five furlongs, and going nicely from the start the Sir Laddo gelding got through his work in lmin. 3 2-ssec. The hurdler Killaloo has been worked at Riccarton since his journey South, and he will sport silk at Oamaru this week. According to present arrangements he and Margarita will journey over to Sydney next month for the minor meetings there.

Killalob 'will be raced over hurdles, and Margarita will make her efforts in the pony ranks. At Riccarton on Saturday morning Meltchikoff, Medley, and The Cornet, all of whom are engaged in the Oamaru Cup, case seven furlongs behind in what was practically a trial gallop. Medley (on the outside) and Meltchikoff finished abreast in Imm. 29 4-ssec„ and the latter, if was going the better of the pair, but there was little to choose in the merits of the two. A great deal of notice must not be taken of The Cornet’s display; the Handsome Jack gelding is usually a lazy worker, and though he finished some distance behind Medley and Meltchikoff at the end of the task he had considerably reduced the gap opened up in the earlier part of the gallop. Fiery Cross, who paid a big dividend when he ran second at Ashburton, is to be sent to the North Otago meeting, where he should show improved form. Snapdragon has done a couple of usem- gallops since racing at Ashburton, and should be one of the hardest to beat in the big event at Oamaru.

Now that the tracks at Riccarton have had the sting taken out of them, White Cockade, St. Ewe and DayLght Bill have been galloping in improved form. The last-named is one of the favourite selections for the Wanganui Steeplechase, but the distance of that event will probably find him wanting. Three Wanganui candidates, in Corrie, Daylight Bill and Snowraker, were given a gallop over a mile and a quarter on Friday. Corrie, who had the best of the weights, finished well in front of Daylight Bill, with Snowraker beaten off. The horses. Master Paul and Conn the Shaughran, who have been racing in Australia for some time, are on the water on their return to New Zealand.

The hunter Pharnos has joined F. D. Jones’ team at Riccarton. He is owned by Mr. N. D. Campbell, of North Canterbury, and will contest hunters’ events at the Grand National meeting. R. King has had an addition to his useful team in the North Island-bred Cervulus, who will sport silk at the North Otago and Dunedin meetings. After racing at Ashburton, Horoscope went amiss, and she is to be sent back to her owner’s station for a lengthy spell. Mr. G. L. Stead intends leaving for a trip to Australia in order to see his horse Tim Doolan compete in the Victoria Grand National Steeplechase, to be decided at Flemington early in July. At the conclusion of that fixture, Tim Doolan will return to the Dominion, and will probably be a competitor in the New Zealand Grand National Steeplechase at Riccarton .n August.

LATER. Moddite Being Persevered With as a Hurdler—Thie North Otago J.C. Meeting—Don Francisco on Easy List. A number of Riccarton-trained licrses are booked to leave for Oamaru to-morrow and Wednesday. Of their number those that have been responsible for the most attractive work are Medley, Snapdragon, Daytime and Meltchikoff, all of whom should run well. The Marlborough-owned Killaloo has made many friends since his arrival at Riccarton, and he should give a good account of himself in the hurdle events at Oamaru. Ogier, who is reported to be very fit, will be ridden in the Oamaru Cup by F. E. Jones. Moddite is being persevered with as a hurdler. On Monday, in company with Cast Iron, he gave his best display. He stopped at the obstacle in front of the stand twice, but got over all the others comfortably. The North Island trainer P. Reardon passed through Christchurch on Saturday, en route for Oamaru, with Royal Sleeves.

Daytime, who is likely to start favourite for the Stewards’ Handicap at Oamaru, has been galloping very freely since racing at Ashburton. He is 'a very quick beginner, and is by no'means overweighted at Bst. 131 b.

Chrysotis is being kept going in view of the Dunedin meeting, where she will contest the Birthday Handicap. Now that the tracks are softer Aynsley’s representative is hitting out more freely in her work, and is looking very fit. The Oamaru-trained colt All Ready has improved a lot since racing at Timaru, and he is one of the most fancied candidates for the Oamaru Cup:'

There is little chance of Merry Trick fulfilling her North Otago engagements, as she has been showing signs of lameness in her work. During Ins absence in America F. Holmes’ horses will be looked after by his son, Freeman Holmes, jun. Skirl has been showing great speed in her work of late, but unfortunately half a mile seems to be the end of her tether. non Francisco is on the easy list at present. He will probably be gelded and treated to a lengthy rest in the hope that he will then show more heart for racing. His form at Ashburton was certainly very disappointing. The well-known cross-country horseman, L. Hagerty, has returned to the Dominion from Melbourne, and he is seriously considering taking up his residence in Riccarton once more. Three horsemen well-known at Riccarton, in G. A. Pine, W. Lloyd and T. M. O’Connor, have enlisted for service, and will shortly go into camp at Trentham.